U.S. patent number 7,012,216 [Application Number 10/721,632] was granted by the patent office on 2006-03-14 for hand-held laser welding wand having internal coolant and gas delivery conduits.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Honeywell International. Invention is credited to Martin C. Baker, William F. Hehmann, Thomas M. Hughes, Federico Renteria, Clyde R. Taylor.
United States Patent |
7,012,216 |
Baker , et al. |
March 14, 2006 |
**Please see images for:
( Certificate of Correction ) ** |
Hand-held laser welding wand having internal coolant and gas
delivery conduits
Abstract
A hand-held laser welding wand includes internal flow passages
through which filler media, gas, and coolant may flow. The wand is
dimensioned to be grasped with a single hand, thus filler media of
various types and forms, gas, and coolant may be supplied to the
hand-held laser welding wand via external systems and delivery
devices without substantially impairing operation of the wand.
Inventors: |
Baker; Martin C. (Budd Lake,
NJ), Taylor; Clyde R. (Laurens, SC), Hughes; Thomas
M. (Greer, SC), Renteria; Federico (Greenville, SC),
Hehmann; William F. (Greer, SC) |
Assignee: |
Honeywell International
(Morristown, NJ)
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Family
ID: |
34591846 |
Appl.
No.: |
10/721,632 |
Filed: |
November 24, 2003 |
Prior Publication Data
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Document
Identifier |
Publication Date |
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US 20050109744 A1 |
May 26, 2005 |
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Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
Issue Date |
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10071025 |
Jul 15, 2003 |
6593540 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
219/121.63;
219/121.84; 219/121.78 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B23K
26/0096 (20130101); B23K 26/0648 (20130101); B23K
26/0665 (20130101); B23K 26/0884 (20130101); B23K
26/123 (20130101); B23K 26/064 (20151001); B23K
26/144 (20151001); B23K 26/211 (20151001); B23K
26/10 (20130101); B23K 2101/001 (20180801) |
Current International
Class: |
B23K
26/00 (20060101) |
Field of
Search: |
;219/121.63,121.84,121.78,121.65,121.79 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Foreign Patent Documents
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63-041090 |
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Feb 1988 |
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JP |
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11-347774 |
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Dec 1999 |
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JP |
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PCT/US2004/037289 |
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Mar 2005 |
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WO |
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Primary Examiner: Elve; M. Alexandra
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Ingrassia Fisher & Lorenz
Parent Case Text
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is related to U.S. patent application Ser. No.
10/460,008, filed Jun. 12, 2003, which is a divisional of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 10/071,025, filed Feb. 8, 2002, which
issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,593,540, on Jul. 15, 2003.
Claims
We claim:
1. A hand-held laser fusion welding assembly, comprising: a main
body dimensioned to be grasped by a hand and adapted to couple to a
laser delivery system, a gas supply system, and a coolant supply
system, the main body having an internal gas flow passage and one
or more coolant flow passages extending therethrough; and a nozzle
releasably coupled to a first end of the main body, the nozzle
having at least an aperture in fluid communication with the
internal gas flow passage through which laser light from the laser
delivery system and gas from the gas supply system may pass; an end
cap releasably coupled to a second end of the main body, the end
cap including: an optical cable opening adapted to receive an
optical cable, a gas flow passage in fluid communication with the
main body gas flow passage, and one or more coolant flow passages
each in fluid communication with one of the main body coolant flow
passages; one or more filler media delivery flow passages extending
through the main body; and one or more filler media delivery flow
passages extending through the end cap, each end cap filler media
delivery flow passage adapted to receive a filler media therein,
and each in fluid communication with one of the main body filler
media delivery flow passages.
2. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: one or more filler
media liner tubes, each liner tube disposed at least partially
within one of the end cap filler media delivery flow passages and
one of the main body filler media delivery flow passages.
3. The assembly of claim 1, further comprising: an optics assembly
mounted within the main body and configured to focus the laser
light from the laser delivery system on a point in front of the
nozzle aperture.
4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the optics assembly comprises:
a lens conduit having at least a first end and a second end; a
first lens mounted within the lens conduit adjacent the lens
conduit first end, the first lens configured to collimate the laser
light from the laser delivery system; and a second lens mounted
within the lens conduit adjacent the lens conduit second end, the
second lens configured to focus the collimated laser light on the
point in front of the nozzle aperture.
5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein at least the first lens is
movably mounted within the lens conduit, and wherein the assembly
further comprises: a receptacle assembly mounted within the main
body adjacent the lens conduit first end, the receptacle assembly
adapted to receive an optical cable through which the laser light
from the laser delivery system is transmitted; and an optical
adjustment screw movably mounted within the lens conduit adjacent
the first lens, the optical adjustment screw configured to adjust a
spacing between the first lens and the receptacle assembly, whereby
the collimation of the delivered laser light is adjustable.
6. A laser fusion welding system, comprising: a gas supply system
configured to supply a flow of gas; a coolant supply system
configured to supply a flow of a coolant medium; an optical cable
coupled to a laser delivery system and configured to transmit laser
light therethrough; and a hand-held laser fusion welding assembly
including: a main body dimensioned to be grasped by a hand and
coupled to the optical cable, the main body including (i) an
internal gas flow passage extending therethrough and in fluid
communication with the gas supply system, and (ii) one or more
coolant flow passages extending therethrough, each coolant flow
passage in fluid communication with the coolant supply system; a
nozzle releasably coupled to a first end of the main body, the
nozzle having at least an aperture in fluid communication with the
internal gas flow passage through which laser light transmitted
through the optical cable may pass and the flow of gas from the gas
supply system may pass; an end cap releasably coupled to a second
end of the main body, the end cap including: an optical cable
opening adapted to receive an optical cable, a gas flow passage in
fluid communication with the main body gas flow passage, and one or
more coolant flow passages each in fluid communication with one of
the main body coolant flow passages; one or more filler media
delivery flow passages extending through the main body; and one or
more filler media delivery flow passages extending through the end
cap, each end can filler media delivery flow passage adapted to
receive a filler media therein, and each in fluid communication
with one of the main body filler media delivery flow passages.
7. The system of claim 6, further comprising: one or more filler
media liner tubes, each liner tube disposed at least partially
within one of the end cap filler media delivery flow passages and
one of the main body filler media delivery flow passages, wherein
the filler media supplied from the filler media delivery system
either flows or extends through one or more of the liner tubes.
8. The system of claim 6, wherein the filler media delivery system
comprises: a wire feeder; and one or more strands of wire filler
media coupled to the wire feeder.
9. The system of claim 6, wherein the filler media delivery system
comprises: a container having an inner volume; powder filler media
disposed within the container inner volume; and one or more
conduits, each conduit in fluid communication with the container
inner volume and a main body filler media delivery flow
passage.
10. The system of claim 6, wherein the filler media delivery system
comprises: a container having an inner volume; liquid filler media
disposed within the container inner volume; and one or more
conduits, each conduit in fluid communication with the container
inner volume and a main body filler media delivery flow
passage.
11. The system of claim 6, further comprising: an optics assembly
mounted within the main body and configured to focus the laser
light from the laser delivery system on a point in front of the
nozzle aperture.
12. The system of claim 11, wherein the optics assembly comprises:
a lens conduit having at least a first end and a second end; a
first lens mounted within the lens conduit adjacent the lens
conduit first end, the first lens configured to collimate the laser
light from the laser delivery system; and a second lens mounted
within the lens conduit adjacent the lens conduit second end, the
second lens configured to focus the collimated laser light on the
point in front of the nozzle aperture.
13. The system of claim 12, wherein at least the first lens is
movably mounted within the lens conduit, and wherein the system
further comprises: an optical cable trough which the laser light
from the laser delivery system is transmitted; a receptacle
assembly mounted within the main body adjacent the lens conduit
first end, the receptacle assembly coupled to the optical cable;
and an optical adjustment screw movably mounted within the lens
conduit adjacent the first lens, the optical adjustment screw
configured to adjust a spacing between the first lens and the
receptacle assembly, whereby the collimation of the delivered laser
light is adjustable.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to laser welding and, more
particularly, to a hand-held laser welding wand that includes
internal coolant flow, and gas delivery, conduits.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Many components in a jet engine are designed and manufactured to
withstand relatively high temperatures. Included among these
components are the turbine blades, vanes, and nozzles that make up
the turbine engine section of the jet engine. In many instances,
various types welding processes are used during the manufacture of
the components, and to repair the components following a period of
usage. Moreover, various types of welding technologies and
techniques may be used to implement these various welding
processes. However, one particular type of welding technology that
has found increased usage in recent years is laser welding
technology.
Laser welding technology uses a high power laser to manufacture
parts, components, subassemblies, and assemblies, and to repair or
dimensionally restore worn or damaged parts, components,
subassemblies, and assemblies. In general, when a laser welding
process is employed, laser light of sufficient intensity to form a
melt pool is directed onto the surface of a metal work piece, while
a filler material, such as powder, wire, or rod, is introduced into
the melt pool. Until recently, such laser welding processes have
been implemented using laser welding machines. These machines are
relatively large, and are configured to run along one or more
preprogrammed paths.
Although programmable laser welding machines, such as that
described above, are generally reliable, these machines do suffer
certain drawbacks. For example, a user may not be able to
manipulate the laser light or work piece, as may be needed, during
the welding process. This can be problematic for weld processes
that involve the repair or manufacture of parts having extensive
curvature and/or irregular or random distributed defect areas.
Thus, in order to repair or manufacture parts of this type, the
Assignee of the present application developed a portable, hand-held
laser welding wand. Among other things, this hand-held laser
welding wand allows independent and manual manipulation of the
laser light, the filler material, and/or the work piece during the
welding process. An exemplary embodiment of the hand-held laser
welding wand is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,593,540, which is
entitled "Hand Held Powder-Fed Laser Fusion Welding Torch," and the
entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference.
The hand-held laser welding wand, such as the one described above,
provides the capability to perform manual 3-D adaptive laser
welding on workpieces of differing types, materials, and
configurations. Hence, filler media of various types and forms is
supplied to the weld area on a workpiece. In addition, many laser
welding processes are conducted in the presence of an inert shield
gas. Thus, gas may need to be supplied to the hand-held laser
welding wand during some welding processes. Moreover, during
operation of the hand-held laser welding wand, the wand may heat
up. Thus, a way of cooling the wand may be needed. With
conventional laser welding devices, external supplies of gas,
coolant, and filler media are coupled to the devices via external
conduits, tubing, and/or wiring. Such external systems and supply
devices can make the use of the hand-held laser welding wand
cumbersome, these systems and supply devices can impair an
operator, and/or can interfere with the wand operations.
Hence, there is a need for a system of method of supplying filler
media to a workpiece, and/or the provision of supplying the various
types and forms of filler media via various types of delivery
systems and methods, and/or a method of supplying gas and/or
coolant to the hand-held laser welding wand that is not cumbersome,
and/or does not impair wand operability, and/or does not interfere
with wand operations. The present invention addresses one or more
of these needs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a hand-held laser welding wand that
is capable of supplying filler media of various types and forms,
and an inert shield gas, to the weld area on a workpiece. The wand
additionally allows for supplying coolant to the wand.
In one embodiment, and by way of example only, a hand-held laser
fusion welding assembly for treating a workpiece includes a main
body and a nozzle. The main body is dimensioned to be grasped by a
hand and is adapted to couple to at least a laser delivery system,
a gas supply system, and a coolant supply system. The main body
includes an internal gas flow passage and one or more coolant flow
passages extending therethrough The nozzle is coupled to the main
body and has at least an aperture through which laser light from
the laser delivery system and gas from the gas supply system may
pass.
In another exemplary embodiment, a laser fusion welding system
includes a gas supply system configured to supply a flow of gas, a
coolant supply system configured to supply a flow of a coolant
medium, an optical cable coupled to a laser delivery system and
configured to transmit laser light therethrough, and a hand-held
laser fusion welding assembly. The assembly includes a main body
and a nozzle. The main body is dimensioned to be grasped by a hand
and is coupled to the optical cable and includes an internal gas
flow passage and one or more coolant flow passages. The gas flow
passages extend through the main body and are in fluid
communication with the gas supply system. The coolant flow passages
extend through the main body and are each in fluid communication
with the coolant supply system. The nozzle is coupled to the main
body and has at least an aperture in fluid communication with the
internal gas flow passage through which laser light transmitted
through the optical cable may pass and the flow of gas from the gas
supply system may pass.
In another exemplary embodiment, a hand-held laser fusion welding
assembly includes a main body and a nozzle. The main body is
dimensioned to be grasped by a hand and is adapted to couple to a
laser delivery system and to a gas supply system. The main body has
an internal gas flow passage extending therethrough. The nozzle is
coupled to the main body and has at least an aperture in fluid
communication with the internal gas flow passage through which
laser light from the laser delivery system and gas from the gas
supply system may pass.
In still another exemplary embodiment, a hand-held laser fusion
welding assembly includes a main body and a nozzle. The main body
is dimensioned to be grasped by a hand and is adapted to couple to
a laser delivery system and to a coolant supply system. The main
body has one or more coolant flow passages extending therethrough.
The nozzle is coupled to the main body and has at least an aperture
through which laser light from the laser delivery system may
pass.
Other independent features and advantages of the preferred welding
wand will become apparent from the following detailed description,
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which
illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side view of an exemplary hand-held laser welding
wand;
FIG. 2 is a perspective exploded view of the hand-held laser
welding wand of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a cross section view of the hand-held laser welding wand
taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 1;
FIGS. 4 and 5 are end views of an exemplary main body portion of
the hand-held laser welding wand shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;
FIG. 6 is a perspective isometric view of an exemplary nozzle that
may be used with the hand-held laser welding wand of FIGS. 1 and
2;
FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective end views of an exemplary end cap
that may be used with the hand-held laser welding wand of FIGS. 1
and 2; and
FIGS. 9 and 10 are cross section views of the exemplary end cap
take along lines 9--9 and 10--10 of FIGS. 7 and 8,
respectively.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Before proceeding with the detailed description, it should be
appreciated that the following detailed description is merely
exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the invention or
the application and uses of the invention. Furthermore, there is no
intention to be bound by any theory presented in the preceding
background or the following detailed description.
Turning now to the description, and with reference first to FIGS. 1
and 2, an exemplary hand-held laser welding wand 100 is shown, and
includes a main body 102, a nozzle 104, and an end cap 106. The
main body 102, which is preferably configured as a hollow tube,
includes a first end 108 and a second end 110. The main body first
108 and second 110 ends each include a plurality of threaded
openings (not visible). As shown in FIG. 2, the threaded openings
in the main body first end 108 each receive a nozzle fastener 202
having mating threads, and which are used to couple the nozzle 104
to the main body first end 108 via a first gasket 204. Similarly,
the threaded openings in the main body second end 110 each receive
an end cap fastener 206 that has mating threads, and which are used
to couple the end cap 106 to the main body second end 110 via a
second gasket 208. It will be appreciated that the nozzle 104 and
end cap 106 could be coupled to the main body first 108 and second
110 ends, respectively, in a different manner. For example, one or
both of the nozzle 104 and end cap 106 could be threaded onto the
main body first 108 and second 110 ends, respectively. Moreover, it
will be appreciated that the main body 102, and/or the nozzle 104,
and/or the end cap 106 could be integrally formed.
A reflection shield 112 may additionally be coupled to the wand
100. The reflection shield 112, if coupled to the wand 100, is used
to reflect laser light that may be reflected off a work piece back
toward the wand 100. A description of the specific configuration of
the reflection shield 112 is not needed, and will thus not be
further described in detail.
The main body 102 additionally includes a plurality of orifices and
flow passages that extend between the main body first 108 and
second ends 110. These orifices and flow passages are used to
direct various fluids and other media through the main body 102 and
to the nozzle 104. Included among these media are a coolant medium,
such as water, an inert gas medium, such as Argon, and a filler
material medium, such as powder, wire, or liquid. These orifices
and flow passages are in fluid communication with orifices and flow
passages in both the nozzle 104 and the end cap 106. The main body
orifices and flow passages will now be described. The concomitant
filler media orifices and flow passages in the nozzle 104 and end
cap 106 will also be described, when these components are
separately described further below.
With reference now to FIGS. 3 5, it is seen that the main body 102
includes one or more filler media flow passages 302, one or more
coolant flow passages 304, and one or more gas flow passages 306.
In the depicted embodiment, the main body 102 includes four filler
media flow passages 302, evenly spaced around the main body 102.
The filler media flow passages 302, as shown most clearly in FIGS.
4 and 5, each include an inlet port 402 (see FIG. 4) and an outlet
port 502 (see FIG. 5). The filler media inlet ports 402 are formed
in the main body second end 110, and the filler outlet ports 502
are formed in the main body first end 108. The main body filler
media flow passages 302 may be used to supply filler media to a
work piece.
The main body 102 additionally includes four coolant flow passages
304, each of which includes an inlet port 404 and an outlet port
406. The coolant inlet 404 and outlet 406 ports are both formed in
the main body second end 110. As shown in FIG. 5, two coolant
crossover flow passages 504 are formed in the main body first end
108. Thus, coolant supplied to the coolant inlet ports 404 flows
through two of the coolant flow passages 304 toward the main body
first end 108. When the coolant reaches the main body first end
108, the coolant is directed into and through the coolant crossover
flow passages 504, and then into and through the remaining two
coolant flow passages 304. The coolant then flows through the
remaining two coolant flow passages 304 to the outlet ports 406
formed in the main body second end 110.
The gas flow passages 306, in the depicted embodiment, are formed
into an inner surface 308 of the hollow main body 102. It will be
appreciated, however, that the gas flow passages 306 could be
formed through the main body 102, similar to the filler media 302
and coolant 304 flow passages. The gas flow passages 306, similar
to the filler media flow passages 302, each include an inlet port
408 formed in the main body second end 110, and an outlet port 506
formed in the main body first end 108. Thus, gas supplied to the
gas flow passage inlet ports 408 flows through the gas flow
passages 306, and out the gas flow passage outlet ports 506. The
gas exiting the main body gas flow passage outlet ports 506 then
flows through the nozzle 104, which will now be described.
Returning once again to FIG. 2, it is seen that the nozzle 104, as
was noted above, is coupled to the main body first end 108. The
nozzle 104 includes an aperture 210 that extends through the nozzle
104 and is in fluid communication with the inside of the hollow
main body 102, and the main body gas flow passage outlet ports 506.
As will be described further below, it is through this aperture 210
that laser light and gas pass during laser welding operations. The
nozzle 104 additionally includes a plurality of fastener openings
212 that extend through the nozzle 104. A nozzle fastener 202
passes through each of the nozzle fastener openings 212 and into
the main body first end 108, as described above, to couple the
nozzle 104 to the main body 102.
As shown more clearly in FIG. 6, the nozzle 104 additionally
includes one or more filler media flow passages that, in
conjunction with the main body filler media flow passages 302, are
used to deliver a filler media to a work piece (not shown). In the
depicted embodiment, the nozzle 104 includes four filler media flow
passages 602, each in fluid communication with one of the main body
filler media flow passages 302. The nozzle filler media flow
passages 602, similar to the main body filler media flow passages
302, each include an inlet port 604 and an outlet port 606. When
the nozzle 104 is coupled to the main body 102, each of the nozzle
filler media flow passage inlet ports 604 is collocated with one of
the main body filler media flow passage outlet ports 502. The
nozzle filler media outlet ports 606 are preferably evenly spaced
around the nozzle aperture 210, and are preferably dimensioned to
receive an extension tube (not shown). A detailed description of
the structure, function, and configuration of such extension tubes
is not needed and, therefore, will not be provided.
Briefly referring back once again to FIG. 2, in combination with
FIGS. 7 10, the end cap 106 will now be described. The end cap 106,
as was noted above, is coupled to the main body second end 110 via
the plurality of end cap fasteners 206. In particular, the end cap
fasteners 206 extend, one each, through a plurality of end cap
fastener openings 214 formed through the end cap 106, and into the
main body second end 110. As shown in FIG. 7, in addition to the
end cap fastener openings 214, the end cap 106 also includes a
cable opening 702, a plurality of filler media supply ports 704,
two coolant ports 706, 708, and a gas supply port 710. A barbed
fitting 216 (see FIG. 2) is preferably coupled to each of the
coolant ports 706, 708, and the gas supply port 710. These barbed
fittings 216 may be used to couple the ports 706 710 to hoses or
other flexible conduits (not shown) that are in fluid communication
with a coolant source or a gas source (not shown), as may be
appropriate.
The end cap cable opening 702 is adapted to receive an optical
cable and, as shown most clearly in FIGS. 8 and 9, extends through
the end cap 106. When the end cap 106 is coupled to the main body
102, the end cap cable opening 702 is in fluid communication with
the inside of the hollow main body 102 including, as will be
further described below, the main body gas flow passage inlet ports
408. In particular, and with quick reference once again to FIG. 2,
an optical cable 218 is inserted into and through the end cap cable
opening 702, and is coupled to an optical receptacle 222 mounted
within the main body 102. The optical cable 218 is used to transmit
laser light from a laser source (not shown) into the main body 102.
An optics assembly 230 is mounted within the main body 102 and is
used to appropriately collimate and focus the laser light
transmitted through the optical cable 218 and receptacle 222, such
that the laser light passes through the nozzle aperture 210 and is
focused on a point in front of the nozzle aperture 210. As may be
seen by referring to FIG. 3, the optics assembly 230 also encloses
the main body gas flow passages 306 that are formed on the main
body inner surface 308. A brief description of an embodiment of the
optics assembly 230 will now be provided. In doing so, reference
should be made to FIG. 2.
The optics assembly 230 includes a lens tube 232, a first lens 234,
a second lens 236, and an optical adjustment screw 238. The lens
tube 232 is preferably constructed of, or coated with, a material
that is optically inert. For example, in the depicted embodiment,
the lens tube 232 is constructed of black anodized aluminum. The
first 234 and second 236 lenses are each mounted within the lens
tube 232 via appropriate mounting hardware. In particular, each of
the lenses 234, 236 is mounted between first and second retaining
rings 242, 244. In addition, a lens cover 246 and lens cover spacer
248 are disposed in front of the second lens 236, providing
physical protection for the second lens 236.
With the above described configuration, laser light transmitted
through the optical cable 218 and receptacle 222 passes through the
first lens 234, which refracts the laser light so that it travels
substantially parallel to the interior surface of the lens tube
232. The parallel laser light then passes through the second lens
236, which focuses the laser light to a point in front of the
nozzle aperture 210. It will be appreciated that the location of
point in front of the nozzle aperture 210 to which the laser light
is focused is a function of the focal length of the second lens
236, and its mounting location within the lens tube 232, which is
determined by the second lens' retaining rings 242, 244. It will
additionally be appreciated that the spacing of the first lens 234
relative to the optical receptacle 222 affects the collimation of
the optics assembly 230. Hence, the optical adjustment screw 238,
to which the optical receptacle 222 is coupled, is movably mounted
within the lens tube 232, and may be used to adjust the spacing
between the first lens 234 and the optical receptacle 222. In a
particular preferred embodiment, the inner surface of the lens tube
232 and the outer surface of the optical adjustment screw 238 are
each threaded to provide this adjustability function.
Returning once again to a description of the end cap 106, and with
reference returned to FIGS. 7 and 8, it is seen that, at least in
the depicted embodiment, the end cap 106 includes four filler media
flow passages 704 (only one shown in phantom in FIG. 7), each of
which is in fluid communication with one of the main body filler
media flow passages 302. The end cap filler media flow passages 704
each include an inlet port 712 and an outlet port 714. When the end
cap 106 is coupled to the main body 102, each end cap filler media
outlet port 714 is collocated with one of the main body filler
media flow passage inlet ports 402. The end cap filler media inlet
ports 712 may be coupled to receive any one of numerous types of
filler media including, but not limited to, those delineated above.
The particular filler media used may be fed into one or more of the
end cap filler media inlet ports 712 either manually, or the filler
media may be fed automatically from a filler media feed assembly
(not shown).
The filler media supplied to the laser welding wand 100 may flow
into and through each of the end cap 704 and main body 302 filler
media flow passages via a plurality of tubes. In particular, and
with a quick reference once again to FIG. 2, it is seen that a
plurality of filler media liner tubes 250 are provided. These
filler media liner tubes 250 may be inserted, one each, through one
of the end cap filler media flow passages 704, and into the main
body filler media flow passages 302. The filler media liner tubes
250 further guide the filler media into and through the end cap 106
and main body 102, and into the nozzle filler media flow passages
602. The filler media liner tubes 250 also protect each of the
filler media openings and flow passages against any erosion that
could result from filler media flow or movement through the
openings and flow passages. Although use of the filler media liner
tubes 250 is preferred, it will be appreciated that the wand 100
could be used without the filler media liner tubes 250.
The end cap 106, as was previously noted, also includes two coolant
ports. In particular, the end cap 106 includes a coolant inlet port
706 and a coolant outlet port 708. The end cap coolant inlet port
706 is in fluid communication with each of the main body coolant
inlet ports 404, via a plurality of coolant inlet flow passages
1002 (see FIG. 10). Similarly, the end cap coolant outlet port 708
is in fluid communication with each of the main body coolant outlet
ports 406, via a plurality of coolant outlet flow passages. For
clarity, the end cap coolant outlet flow passages are not
illustrated. However, it will be appreciated that these flow
passages are configured substantially identical to the coolant
inlet flow passages 1002. Thus, coolant supplied to the end cap
coolant inlet port 706 is directed through the end cap coolant flow
passages 1002, and into and through the main body coolant flow
passages 304. In the main body 102, the coolant flows as described
above. The coolant exiting the main body coolant outlet ports 406
is directed into and through the end cap coolant outlet flow
passages, and out the end cap coolant outlet port 708.
The gas supply port 710 directs an inert gas such as, for example,
Argon, into the main body gas flow passages 306, via an end cap gas
flow passage 902 (see FIG. 9). The end cap gas flow passage 902, in
the depicted embodiment, fluidly communicates the end cap gas
supply port 710 with the end cap cable opening 702. The end cap
cable opening 702, as was noted above, is in fluid communication
with the main body gas flow passage inlet ports 408. Thus, gas
supplied to the end cap gas supply port 710 is directed through the
end cap gas flow passage 902, and into the end cap cable opening
702. A seal, such as a non-illustrated O-ring seal, prevents the
gas entering the end cap cable opening 702 from flowing back out
the end cap 106. The seal is preferably placed in an O-ring groove
904 formed on an inner surface of the cable opening 702, and
through which the optical cable 218 passes. Thus, the gas directed
into the end cap cable opening 702 is directed into the main body
gas flow passage inlet ports 408, through the main body gas flow
passages 306, and into the nozzle 104. The gas is then directed out
the nozzle aperture 210.
The hand-held laser welding wand 100 described herein includes a
plurality of internal flow passages that allow filler media, gas,
and coolant to flow through the wand 100. The flow passages are
conveniently connectable to external filler media, gas, and coolant
supply sources, which allows the wand 100 to be operated and
manipulated with reduced impairment from these external systems,
thereby providing improved operability.
While the invention has been described with reference to a
preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the
art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be
substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope
of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to
adapt to a particular situation or material to the teachings of the
invention without departing from the essential scope thereof.
Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the
particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for
carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include
all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended
claims.
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